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Councillors have poured scorn on the management of Boston Pilgrim Hospital with a vote of no confidence in their ability to resolve the threat to children's services.

Children's services at the hospital have been threatened with closure since April due to a lack of staff.

Campaigners and parents fear any cuts would put lives at risk.

And Boston Borough Council has now officially added its voice to the objections with a unanimous vote of no confidence in the senior managers during a meeting on Monday night.

The motion was proposed by Cllr Paul Gleeson, who said: "Many residents have been voicing their concerns with regards to the possible closure or downgrade to children's service.

"The concern began to grow within the council and councillors decided to put a motion in place to back the campaigners who fear the downgrade will have repercussions on families.

"We hope this call will lead to ULHT to review their options in line with resident's fears and that the trust will give a clear picture of what the future actually holds as residents feel this has not been the case."

Campaigner Emma Wilcock said the general feeling was ‘it’s about time’ the council gave their support.

But the mum of two added: “We do wish the council had backed us earlier. The people of Boston and surrounding areas need to have their fears heard. There’s power in numbers and now we have people in power backing us. It’s amazing and we hope we can stop any closures and keep services the same.”

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The council also decided to work with Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman to take concerns over the threat of closure to the Government, the Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board and the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust.

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Members of the executive board at ULHT recently voted through plans to maintain paediatric and maternity services at Pilgrim Hospital past August 1.

The service will now be run on an ‘interim model’, meaning majority of women and children admitted to Pilgrim would continue to be seen and assessed there, though high risk pregnant patients will be transferred to Lincoln or Peterborough for treatment.

Boston Pilgrim Hospital

A ULHT spokesperson said: “We understand there is concern from members of the public regarding the staffing situation at Pilgrim hospital, which very much reflects the national shortage of paediatricians.

"We would like to reassure everyone that we are doing everything we can to work up plans that will enable us to sustain services at the hospital. We are working very closely with our local MP and appreciate his support. We will continue to work with the local authority, members of the public, patients and staff during this challenging period.”

A further update is expected from the trust board on the service on July 27.